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Angela Craddock, who was murdered at her Warrington home (Image: Cheshire Police)

However, a jury found him guilty by a majority of 10-2 after more than 11 hours of deliberation, following a nine-day trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Smart showed no emotion in the dock, while the victim's family and friends cried and hugged each other in the public gallery.

Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, said he would sentence Smart tomorrow and remanded him in custody, adding the only punishment could be life imprisonment.

The trial heard how Miss Craddock had previously and repeatedly complained of domestic violence at the hands of Smart, who had been released from prison, just seven days before the killing, after serving time for an attack on her.